Grain-scourer



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GRAIN SOOURER. N0.'363,881. Patented May 24, 1887.

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; GRAIN SGOURBR. No. 363,381. Patented May 24, 1887.

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GRAIN SUOURER. N0. 363,381. Patented May 24, 1887.

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GRAIN SUOURER.

Patented May 24, 1887.

m Ewe llNITEn STATES PATENT Urrrce.

CHARLES M. GILBERT, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

GRAIN=SCOURER.

sPECIPIC TIQN forming part of Letters Patent No.363,38l, dated May 24,1887.

Application filed August 25, 1896. Serial No. 211,784. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES M. GILBERT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Minneapolis, in the county of I-Iennepin and State ofMinnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain-Seourers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for scouring and cleaning grain.

The object of the invention is the production of a machine that willeffect more thorough securing and cleaning of grain than is accomplishedby the ordinary machines for that purpose.

My improvements are illustrated in the ac companying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of the machine. Figs. 2 and 3are central seetional views of the portions of the machine containing,respectively, the upper and lower sets of scouring mechanisms. Fig. 4 isa detail view of the inner sheet-metalfnnnel. Fig. 5 is a detail view ofthe outer funnelshaped sieve. Fig. 6 is a top view in detail of therevolving scouring-plate. Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the same. Fig. 7 isa section of the same on the line W W of Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 8 is adetail view of the stationary scouringdisk. Fig. 9 is a section of thesame on the line X X of Fig. 8. Fig. 9 is an enlarged seetional view ofone of the sections of the scouring-disk on the line xx mm of Fig, 8.Fig. 10 is a detached view of one of the sections of the perforatedplate used in connection with the stationary scouring-disk used as abacking or cover for the disk. Fig. 11 is adetached view of thestationary spider for supporting the scouring-disk. Fig. 12 is asectional view of the same on the line Y Y of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is asectional view of the lower spider which supports the lowerscouring-disk, and which has an annular channel, into which the grain isdischarged after passing through the scouring mechanism and by which thegrain is car ried to the separating-trunk of the machine. Fig. 14 is adetached view of the feed-cup secured to the frame of the machineandinserted between flanges on the revolving scouringplate. It isillustrated in inverted position to show its flanges more clearly. Fig.15 is a section of the same on thelinezzof Fig. 14. Fig.

16 is a detail view of the cap fastened to the stationary spider andoverlapping the flange on the revolving scouring-plate, and Fig. 17 across-section of the same.

A in the drawings designates the frame of the machine, and B itshousing, placed in line with the outside of the frame and leaving asuitable space between the housing and scouring mechanism to form apassage around the latter for an upward current of air to the fanthrough the eye of the fan-ease.

a is the fancase, in which the blades to of the fan operate, and a isthe eye of the fan-case. The blades are attached by their arms a to thevertical shaft 0, by which they are rotated. The shaft 0 is held inposition by a journal, j. on an upper bridge-tree, A, and its lower endrests on a step, 0, carried by a lighter-screw, 0', supported by thelower bridge-tree, A and the shaft is lightered (raised or lowered) toadjust the revolving scouring-plates relatively to the stationary disks,as may be required for the work to be performed, by turning thelighter-screw c, which may be screwed up or down in the bridge-tree A\Vhen the shaft is at the desired point of elevation, the lighterscrewis held'in position by means of thelockscrew 0.

(Z designates the feed-spout leading from the mouth of the windtrunk Dto a circular feed-cup, e, at the middle of the machine. The dischargeend of the spout should be in curved form to conform to the curve of thefeed-cup. The feed-cup is cast in halves, to facilitate placing itaround the shaft and central opening of the machine and removing it whendesired, and the semicircular sections, when joined, form a ring or cupwith an open center. The ring or cup is hollow and at its under side hasan opening extending its entire circumference, and has flanges 0extending downwardly from the sides of this annular opening. In placingthe feed-cup in position the flanges e are inserted between circularflanges on the revolving scouring-plateiu such position as to prevent.the latter flanges rubbing the former when in operation. A suitableopening is provided in the upper surface of the cup 0 for receiving themouth of the spout d, and the grain is fed into the cup through thisopening and thence descends IOD through the open bottom between theflanges e and through the annular opening f of therevolvingscouringplate to the fixed scouringdisk. The cup 6 is supportedcentrally to the machine by cross-bars e, which are secured to the frameof the machine.

F is the revolving scouring-plate and is fastened by means of its hub fto the shaft 0, by which it is operated. The plate is of cast-iron orother suitable metal, of circular form,with a central opening around itshub, and has spokesf, for supporting it, extending from its hub f to aflange, f surrounding and extending above the central opening of theplate. A flange, f, also extending above the lane of the plate, isprovided a short distance toward the periphery from the flange f, and anannular opening, f, through the plate is thus provided between the twoflanges f f for the descent of the grain from the cup e to thestationary scouring-disk. There is also an upwardly-projecting flange,f, around the extreme outer edge of the plate F, the purpose of whichwill be hereinafter fully explained.

On the under side of the plate F are cast projecting ribs or beaters ofsuitable width and thickness-an inch and a half high by an inch thick isdeemed desirable-and which to make them durable should be chilled orhardened on their outer edges.

The heaters f nearest the center extend from the inner flange f throughthe space f and beyond the flange f onto the plate at the outer side ofthe flange f and should be of sufficient strength to sustain the weightof plate F. The beatersf j, f",and f are preferably set in radial linesand in circular rows from the central opening to the outer edge of theplate and at about equal distances apart in their respective rows, andshould vary in length and in the position of the rows, so as graduallyto increase the number of beatersurfaces toward the periphery of theplate.

The ends of the heaters of each series should overlap thoseof thesucceeding series to produce an unbroken beater action upon the grain asit is carried on its course from center to periphery of thescouring-disk.

' The scouringplate F, being fast to the shaft 0, may be raised orlowered with the shaft by turning the lighter-screw c to increase ordiminish the space between that plate and the stationary scouring-disk,as may be required bythe work to be performed. In being thus adjustedthe flanges f f of the plate slide freely up or down around the flangese of the cup 6, and the outer flange, f, slides freely up or down aroundthe flange g of the circular cap G.

G is. an annular cap, the outer and longer side, 9, of which is boltedto the stationary spider, and the inner and shorter side, '9, of

which overhangs the flange f of the scouring- Fig. 8.

parts may be used interchangeably and conveniently inserted or removed,and the sections are joined on the lines-h. (Shown in The sections itare \made up of alternate segmental ribs h and intervening spaces ha.The ribs are preferably made abouta hal finch wide at the base and abouta half-inch high and tapering from the base to the top. They maybeconical or ofany suitably angular shape in cross-section. In thedrawings they are shown with their sides inclining in straight linesfrom the base to a' sharp ridge; but they may be rounded at the top, andthus be made more durable. Connecting these ribs are crossbars i ofsimilar forms in transverse section. to the ribs, and are of suitablenumber to.

stiffen the ribs and offer resisting-surfaces to.

the grain, and should increase in number to ward the outer edge todecrease the length of the openings h between the ribs. The sec tions hbeing joined together'toform the disk H, the ribs h form rings, and theintervening spaces h become circular openings, broken into shortarc-shaped apertures by the crossbars h.

The sections of the scouring-disk are secured to the stationary spiderby means of lugs h at one end passing through slots in the inner flangeof the spider, and at the other end by a downward flange, h, at theperiphery of the disk which overhangs a flange near the outer edge ofthe spider.

I is a perforated backing for the openings of the scouring-disk H. Thisbacking is preferably made of sheet-steel havingshort slotsi in curvedrows corresponding with the openings h of the scouringdisk and cut atangles to the radii of the curves; but the slots or perforations i maybe of any desirable shape, or wire-cloth may be used instead ofperforated sheet metal. In place of a single plate forming the backingfor the entire scouring-disk it is preferable to use sectional pieces2', corresponding with the divisions h of the scouringdisk, as shown inFigs. 8 and 10, one of the perforated pieces being shown in position inFig. 8.

I do not wish to restrict myself to the use of a scouring-surface of thecharacter set forth to machines of the construction shown, for theseparts may be constructed in shape of staves to the spider is fastenedand supported by its lugs is. A flange, is, around a central opening, kof the spider extends upward into the central opening formed by theflangef of the revo1v-' mg scouring-plate and in close proximity to itssides. A central draft passage-way is thus formed through the securingplates and disks.

h It" are downward flanges around the outer edges of the spider, andbetween these flanges is a suitable space, R for the descent of thegrain that has passed over the edge of the scouring-disk. To the outerflange, 7c", is fastened the longer flange, g, of the cap G, and thehollow of the cap and the annular space k are thus connected and areshutoff from the action of the faucurrent.

his aring connecting thespokes of thespider to stiffen them.

7c are the slots for receiving the lugs k on the ends of thescouring-disk sections.

L is the lower stationary spider, constructed similarly to that justdescribed, except that its outer flanges, ZZ, are connected byabottom,Z", to form a circular trough or channel, Zj, for receiving and holdingthe grain as it falls'from the edge of the lower scouring-disk. Scraperst, bolted on the periphery of the revolving scouring-plate and travelingin the trough Z, conduct the grain to an opening at the bottom of thetrough, which communicates with a spout, S, for discharging the grainfrom the scouring mechanism.

M is a wire-cloth or other suitable perforated funnel-shaped sievefastened around the outer tlangeflcflof the stationary spider to receivethe grain which has passed through one of the scouring mechanisms andconduct it into the next below, and N is atight metal funnel placedwithin the funnel shaped sieve M, and attached to the inner flange, ofthe spider, for receiving the small particles which have fallen throughthe scouring-disk H and backing I. The funnel N prevents these separatedparticles from being again mingled with thegrain and allows them to bedrawn up by the fan action through the central opening of the ma chine.The funnelshaped sieve M causes further separation of fine particlesfrom the grain in its descent over the perforated surface, and theparticles so separated are carried off by the fan action outside of thesecuring mechanism.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The wheat or other grain inentering the feedspout d is acted upon by the upward air-draft in thetrunk D, and light matter, such as dust, chaff, &c,, is taken from it.From the spout the grain descends into the feed-cup e, thence throughits open bottom and through the openingf of the revolving plate F ontothe scouringdisk H, where it is subjected to the operation of theheaters of the plate F. The plate F being fast on the shaft 0 revolveswith it, preferably at a speed of four hundred to six hundredrevolutions per minute, accord ing to the condition of the grain; and bythe action of the heaters on the plate the grain is carried around overthe surface of the stationary disk H, and by coming in contact with theraised cross-bars 7r in its course around the disk, and also with theribs h in its passage toward the periphery, the grain is rolled andturned end over end by the beater action. The scourings, dust, &c.,removed from the grain by its passage over the disk fall through theperforations of the disk K and backing Iinto the imperforate funnel Nand are prevented from again mingling with the grain, and are carried bythe fan action upward through the central opening of the machine to thefan (as indicated by arrows) and blown thence into a dust-room or otherreceptacle for the purpose. The grain upon reaching the edge of thescouring-disk falls through thespace k between the outer flanges of thefixed spider into the funnel-shaped sieve M and descends over thesurface of the wire-cloth into the opening 4 of the next scouring-plateand onto the second scouring-disk, where it is subjected tothe sametreatment as above described. The dust, sconrings, 850., sifted from thegrain in its passage over the wire-cloth of the funnelshaped sieve M arecarried away by the upward cur rent (indicated by arrows) outside of thescour-- ing mechanisms. 'Upon entering the lower scouring mechanism thegrain is subjected to the same treatment as heretofore described, andwhen thence discharged falls into the trough Z",whence the scraperstdeliver it to the spout S, which discharges it into the separating-trunk D, where it is again subjected to a fan-current forremoving light matter. The

light particles which fall through the lower scouring-disk and itsbackingare carried away by the outside draft, which is admitted throughopenings 0 in the bottom plate, 1), of the machine.

VVhat I claim, and ters Patent, is

1. In a grain-scourer, astationaryscouring surface composed of ribs andcrossbars with desire to secure by Let- ,intervening openings and aperforated backing for said openings, in combination with revolvingbeaters for carrying the grain over said scouring-surface.

2. In combination, a frame and easing, horh zontal sconringdisks havingapertures covered with perforated material, revolving beaters for movingthe grain over the scouring disks, outer funnelshaped sieves forconducting the grain to the successive scouring-disks, inner imperforatefunnels for receiving the scourings, and a fan for creating a draft centrally through said funnels and disks and ex teriorly around said disksand sieves, substantially as set forth.

3. In a grain-scourer, in combination, a frame and easing, a fan andfan-case therein, accntral vertically-adjustable shaft therein,scouring-plates rotated by said shaft, fixed scouringdisks, openings insaid disks and perforated coverings therefor, funnel-shaped sieves forconducting the grain from one disk to another, imperforate funnels forreceiving nected draft passageways both centrally through said disks andfunnels and around the exterior of said disks and sieves, substantiallyas set forth.

4; The combination,with a revolving scouring-plate having a centralopening and circular flanges near said opening, of an annular feed-cuphaving the sides of its open bottom extending within said flanges, forthe purpose set forth.

5. In a grain-scourer, a revolving scouringplate having a centralopening and an upward flange around said opening, spokes at the upperportion of said flange bearing a hub, Y

a flange encircling said inner flange, openings in the plate betweensaid flanges, a flange around the edge of said plate, and heaters inradial courses projecting from the lower surface of said plate,substantially as set forth.

6. The combinatioh, with a stationary spider and a revolvingscouring-plate having an upward flange around its edge, of an annularcap having its outer side fastened to the periphery of said spider andits inner side overhanging said flange, for the purpose set forth.

7. In a grain-scourer, an upper revolving scouring-plate havingdownwardly-projecting heaters, in combination with a stationaryscouring-disk composed of segmental ribs connected by cross-bars,annular openings between said ribs, and a perforated covering for saidopenings, for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination of the scouring-disk H, formed in sections handcomprising ribs h and crossbars h, having the intervening openings 7?,and the backing I, made in sections 2" and having slots 1',substantially as shown and described.

'4 I aael 9. A scouring mechanism having a central and a surroundingdraft passage-way, an interior imperforate funnel for conductingscourings to the central draft passage-way, and an exteriorfunnel-shaped sieve for conducting the grain and sifting small particlesinto the outer fan-draft passage-way. I

10. The combination, with the spider K, having slots k and flanges 7c,of a scouringdisk composed of the interchangeable sections it, providedwith lugs 7L5 and a flange, h, substantially as described.

11. In a grain-scourer, in combination, a re volving scouring-platehaving a central opening and the spider K, having a central opening andprovided with flanges k k, having the intervening openings ksubstantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In a grain-scourer, the spider L, having an annular trough, Z formedby the circular flanges Z Z and bottom Z, in combination with the cap G,substantially as described.-

13. The combination, with a spider having circular flanges forming anintermediate annu- V lar space for the descent of grain, of afunnelshaped sieve attached to theouter flange and an imperforate funnelattached to the inner flange, for the purpose set forth.

14. The combination,with a revolving scouring-plate having a centralopening and two circular flanges forming an annular space, of afunnel-shaped sieve for conducting grain to said annular space, and aninterior imperforate funnel for preventing the mingling of scouringswith the grain.

CHARLES M. GILBERT. Witnesses:

S. G. DUNWOODY,

P. H. GUNOKEL.

